Laundry-stable, antimicrobially-active fibers and filaments and the production thereof

Abstract

Fibers and filaments of synthetic polymers containing from 0.1 to 5%, by weight, based on polymer, of an azole compound corresponding to the following general formula: ##STR1## and from 0.1 to 5%, by weight, based on polymer, of a dihydroxydiphenylmethane derivative corresponding to the following general formula: ##STR2## wherein n represents 0 or 1; m represents 0, 1 or 2; R 1 represents halogen, halophenyl or phenyl; R 2 represents --CO--C(CH 3 ) 3 or --CHOH--C(CH 3 ) 3 ; and R 3 and R 4 represent halogen, show laundry-stable, antimicrobial activity.

We claim: 
     
       1. Fibers and filaments of synthetic acrylic polymers having a combination of antimicrobial agents incorporated therein and firmly anchored to the walls thereof said combination consisting of from 0.1 to 5%, by weight, based on polymer, of an azole compound corresponding to the following general formula: ##STR6## and from 0.1 to 5%, by weight, based on polymer, of a dihydroxydiphenylmethane derivative corresponding to the following general formula: ##STR7## wherein n represents 0 or 1; m represents 0, 1 or 2   R 1  represents halogen, halophenyl or phenyl;   R 2  represents --CO--C(CH 3 ) 3  or --CHOH--C(CH 3 ) 3  ; and   R 3  and R 4  represents halogen.   
     
     
       2. Fibers and filaments according to claim 1, wherein the azole compound is 1-(4-chlorophenoxy)-1-imidazol-1-yl-3,3-dimethylbutan-2-one and the dihydroxydiphenyl methane derivative is 2,2'-dihydroxy-5,5'-dichlorodiphenylmethane. 
     
     
       3. Fibers and filaments as claimed in claim 1, wherein the synthetic polymer is polyacrylonitrile containing at least 45%, by weight, of acrylonitrile units.